Tiny Giants 3D

This BBC Earth production spotlights two small but feisty rodents native to North America, spectacularly employing high-resolution, super-wide-angle/low-angle shots. In an Eastern forest, a young chipmunk defends against various threats while trying to hoard enough acorns to survive the approaching winter. On the other side of the continent, a maturing grasshopper mouse in Arizona strikes out on his own from the family domicile (a broken-down antique auto), experiencing frequent peril in the desert from both predators and the elements. Narrated by actor Stephen Fry, Tiny Giants dials down the science to elementary-school level, while also serving up occasional cartoon sound f/x. Nature-film purists may cry foul that (as shown in the “making-of” extra) all of this was carefully scripted and storyboarded in advance, using captive or carefully monitored animals. Trickier set pieces were even sometimes blue-screen superimposed and computer-composited, as opposed to being simply discovered in situ by the world's luckiest nature cinematographers. That said, much of this is still undeniably stirring and transfixing, especially in 3D for those owning the required technology. A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (C. Cassady)